Slovenia Away - 07/09/23


The first few hours on match day in Slovenia were a bit of a struggle and began when I woke up on the floor of my hostel room with a thumping headache. My other two friends were still out for the count with one of them in what should have been my bed despite him having his own hostel room booked. Eventually Ben and I set off to meet up with the travelling fans at the Cutty Sark Pub where we had been the night before while Davey caught up on a few more hours of sleep. 

 

A pizza and pint was all we needed to be back in full voice and we stayed at the Cutty Sark for the next four hours before we had to leave at 7 p.m. to get the supporters bus to the stadium. The bus was bouncing the whole way to the stadium with everyone on board with their carry-outs which Northern Ireland fans were allowed to drink outside the stadium in the fan zone. 

 

The match had a quick start with Northern Ireland 1-0 down within three minutes before equalising after seven. By half-time, we were 3-1 down in a game we were playing the better football which was frustrating to watch. In the second half, we got ourselves back in the game scoring to make it 3-2 before Slovenia scored a fourth just three minutes later in the fifty-sixth minute and the scoreline stayed at 4-2 until full time. 


For once this was a game where we had the better possession and chances which was very positive to watch. However, it was our defence that let us down conceding over three goals for the first time in exactly three years when we lost 5-1 to Norway. After the match, we went back to the pub for some more drinks with the looming thought of a 9:22 a.m. train to Austria the next morning to be able to fly home.


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